What oxidation is

Oxidation isn’t random. It’s chemistry plus exposure. Gelcoat is porous, like skin or like a sponge under a microscope. Over time, UV rays from the sun break down the gelcoat's chemical composition. Water and oxygen react with the broken-down resins in your gelcoat. The top surface then dries out and turns chalky and that chalk is essentially "dead" gelcoat.

Creating a Blank Canvas

Surface Prep

Old waxes, oils, and residues can sit inside the pores of gelcoat. If you compound over them, you’re working through contamination. This step ensures maximum performance.

Wash thoroughly

Rinse completely

Dry fully

Compounding & Polishing

Correction

Now that your boat is clean and dry, you're ready to compound. Our one step diminishing abrasive system is designed to cut down on time and complexity, allowing you to remove oxidation and polish your boat to a high shine in a single step, all without "masking" the problem with the short-lived shine other compounds are notorious for.

Purchase Compound

Prepare your pad

Apply the product

Wipe residual compound

NOTE: Compounding and polishing are two necessary steps of the gelcoat correction process. Where and how they fit in to that process depend on the existing condition of your gelcoat. In the vast majority of cases, oxidized gelcoat can be corrected with compound and polish alone, without sanding. It is always best to perform a small test with compound before heading straight to sanding. In the rare event of severely oxidized gelcoat that does not react to compound alone, wet sanding may be required to fully remove the oxidation and restore the finish completely (before) applying the compound and polish required to remove sanding swirls and bring the boat back to a high shine. While rare, the possibility remains, as does the need for compounding –– and our one step diminishing abrasive technology allows you to perform that compound and polish in a single final step before applying protection.

Locking In Your Results

Protection

Compounding removes oxidation but does not protect your boat. Once oxidation is removed, fresh gelcoat is exposed and must be shielded from UV and the elements—otherwise degradation begins immediately, like bare wood left in the rain. Traditional waxes typically last only 4–6 weeks and require frequent reapplication, which many owners overlook. Our Ceramic Top Coat Sealant provides a longer-lasting, user-friendly solution with up to 12X the protection of wax.

Purchase Protection

Spray the surface

Spread evenly

Buff completely
With its dense, foaming action, SKWOL™ Wash & Prep boat soap removes dirt, salt, and grime without stripping away protective layers.

Maintenance

This is where most boat owners unintentionally undo their work. After protection cures, use only pH Neutral cleaners and confirm on label (not marketing terms)

Words like "Biodegradable", "Eco-friendly" "Gentle" or "Safe" do NOT indicate pH neutrality. For ongoing routine maintenance, avoid dish soap, bleach, Simple Green, household cleaners, acid-based products, and degreasers. These can strip protection instantly. When protection is removed, UV quickly damages raw gelcoat and oxidation returns rapidly.

Purchase Soap

UV Exposure

Reapplication Schedule

Sunlight intensity varies dramatically by geography. It's important to follow the schedule below in order to maintain your boat's protection from UV exposure.

🔴 High UV Regions

Reapply Every 3-4 Months
Average UVI: 7–9+

  • Florida
  • Southern Texas
  • Arizona
  • Southern California
  • Gulf Coast
  • Southern Nevada
  • Hawaii

🟠 Moderate-High UV

Every 4–6 Months
UVI: 5–6

  • Mid-Atlantic (VA, NC)
  • Inland California
  • Southern Midwest
  • Parts of the Carolinas
  • Lower Southwest

🟡 Moderate UV

Every 6–9 Months
UVI: 4–5

  • Northeast
  • Great Lakes
  • Upper Midwest
  • Northern Plains
  • Inland Pacific Northwest

🟢 Low UV

Every 9–12 Months
UVI ≤3

  • Coastal Pacific Northwest
  • Northern New England
  • Alaska